Page 19 of Darkness Rising
My heartbeat thunders through my ears as I take careful steps toward Cameron. I walk as if the floor is in danger of falling away, causing us all to come crashing down.
Link keeps his gaze locked on the King’s furious face, but I know he’s aware of me. All four of them are aware of my slow, silent movements.
As soon as my hand slips into Cameron’s he squeezes it hard. The five of us dissolve into the air, flowing away slowly on a whisking breeze.
I hear my father curse my name as we fade away from the Court of Darkness. The cool breeze caresses me. It relaxes me almost instantly.
We travel for miles toward a secluded meadow that always calms my thoughts, but just before we reach our destination, a stronger magic pulls us hard in the other direction.
Death is more powerful than all of us.
Chapter Twelve
Death
The universe pulls us through the wind, guiding our paths to what I can only hope will be the fastest death I’ve ever witnessed. Jeriko lands first. When my vision comes into focus, my stomach drops.
The crowd stares down on us, not seeing us but seemingly waiting for us all the same. The bright lighting is harsh on my eyes. My father cocks his head to the side as his attention lands on Cameron once again.
“I knew a simple loss of life would be all that was needed to get your attention, Daughter.”
His fist twists into my mother’s long hair, arching her back until the pale column of her throat is exposed to the knife he holds tightly.
“Face me with respect, Violence.” He jars her thin body back against him. With a jolt of power, I appear in an instant. The three men of the Wild Hunt exchange a surprised look. My chin tips up to the King, my gaze holding his.
Quick breaths fill my lungs as I try to hold on to a look of fearlessness. Even if anxiety threatens to shake through my limbs.
My mother is one woman in a mass of many in his life. She’s nothing to him. But to me, she’s the only person who never stopped loving me. She fought to keep me here with her.
She failed.
“You could have just asked.” His words are lazy, as if he isn’t on the brink of committing murder in front of the eyes of his court. “Tell me what you were searching for, Daughter.”
I force myself not to look to Cameron. Nollix shifts, his body skimming mine slightly as if he might shield me from my own father.
“I was looking for succession documents,” I say without thought.
It’s a terrible lie.
But it’s the only one I have.
“Why?” His eyes narrow on me, searching my features for the truth.
“Have you even considered who will rule our people once you’re gone? Surely it wouldn’t be Amandria, would it?” As if they’ve never imagined this cruel man’s death, a nice collective—slightly dramatic—gasp slips through the audience. Goddess, do they need a hobby. “The thief said I could find the succession paperwork and have it altered in my favor.”
He studies me, his attention flickering between myself and the confused Warlock at my side.
“You think you’re fit to rule the Court of Darkness?” A sneer slices through his features but he lowers the knife just slightly away from my mother’s smooth skin. I can almost breathe with the knife farther away from her now. Even if I’m starting to wonder if my own life is in jeopardy. “I have no intention of leaving my people any time soon, Violence.” His lips purse. The way he’s looking at me sinks a horrific feeling to the pit of my stomach. It’s eating at my insides with fear and anticipation.
“Your mother, on the other hand, isn’t in the best of health.” And then the blade slices across her throat. It sinks in so far that blood spews from the wound. Her mouth opens without sound, and worst of all, I see her beautiful soul leave her body in flowing golden shadows.
A scream echoes from my lips, it shakes through the room, tearing at the structure. The ground trembles with the rage of my emotions. Cries and shouts emit from the once-quiet crowd. Link’s body presses against mine as he holds me to his chest, attempting to calm me, to ground me, to save me.
The glowing apparition wanders aimlessly.
Is she afraid? She shouldn’t be alone. She needs me. I need for her to know I’m here.
As her soul drifts through the room in pure and beautiful colors, Jeriko’s hunger grows. I feel its demanding presence within my chest. In seconds, his glittering dark form is swarming her. I shift, swirling through the room as quick as my magic will allow me. The shimmering colors of my magic slam against his, but it only deters him for a moment. His smoky form wraps around hers, pulling her into him. He devours her soul in the blink of an eye.
